Ear protection device

ABSTRACT

An ear protection device ( 18 ) that includes a pair of ear protectors ( 23 ), each ear protector ( 23 ) having a pocket ( 64 ) associated therewith that is sized and shaped to be received over the top of the user&#39;s ear to support the device ( 18 ) on the ear; and a band ( 22 ) connected to the pair of ear protectors ( 23 ), the band ( 22 ) formed of lightweight resilient material and configured to position the ear covers in alignment with the user&#39;s ears and with the pockets ( 64 ) positioned over the tops of the respective ears. A selectively positionable door ( 30 ) is provided on the exterior of each ear protector ( 23 ) to cover and uncover an opening in each protector to facilitate the passage of sound to the user&#39;s ear through the ear cover when the door ( 30 ) is in an opened position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a device for protecting the ears ofthe user, and more particularly to a lightweight ear protection devicethat is supported by the ears and protects the ears from the elementswhile facilitating the user's ability to hear.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, ear muffs and the like have been provided with earpieces at each end of a headband, with the ear pieces then being wornwith the headband put around the top of the head or around the base ofthe head region of the head. FIG. 1 shows an example a known headbandthat wraps around the back of the head. Here, the article 10 comprisestwo ear pieces 16 (with only one being shown in FIG. 1) and a headband14 clamping the ear pieces 16 at each end to the user's head 12. Theheadband 14 is constructed of flexible material, for example, a plasticspring material, to provide resilience.

The article 10 is put on the user's head 12 by slightly broadening thespace between the ear pieces 16 at the ends of the headband 14 so thatthe ear pieces 16 are brought in position adjacent the ears 11. When thearticle 10 is put onto the head 12, it is positioned in such a mannerthat the ear pieces are pressed onto the user's head 12 and ears 11 bythe resilience of the headband 14. In this way, the ears becomesandwiched between the head 12 and the ear pieces 16. At the same time,the middle of the headband 14 comes into contact with the neck or collarof the wearer at the base 15 of the head region 20 of the user's head12.

When this article 10 is used as described above, the ear pieces 16 arepressed to the head 12 as a result of the resilience of the headband 14.However, this structure does not enable active support by the ears 11because its means of support is tension from the resilient material. Insome designs it can be partially supported by the middle part of theheadband 14 coming into contact with or riding on the base 15 of theuser's head region 20 or the neck 19 or collar 21 at the side of thebase 15 of the head region 20.

Unfortunately, when, for example, the headband 14 comes into contactwith the neck 19 or collar 21 of the user's clothes, movement of theuser's head 12 generates stress in the headband 14, thus stressing theentire structure. As a result, the position of the article 10 isfrequently changed, causing noise and discomfort, which affects anindividual's ability to concentrate and hear. In addition, theresilience of the tensioned headband 14 forms a sealed cup around theears, interfering with sound entering into the ear canal. Because thereis no active ear support feature, the resilience in the headband 14 mustbe strong enough to prevent the ear protection device 10 from fallingoff the head 12, causing unnecessary pressure to be exerted on the earsand the head 12, which can cause discomfort to the user. This discomfortis compounded when the level of sound the user can hear from beneath theear pieces 16 is diminished. Thus, despite the existence of varioustypes of earmuffs and headbands, there remains a need for an earprotection device having the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed and claimed embodiments of the invention are directed toan ear protection device that includes a pair of ear protectors, eachear protector having an ear cup sized and shaped to be received over auser's ear, and a pocket associated with the ear cup that is sized andshaped to be received over the top of the user's ear and to support thedevice on the ear; and a band connected to the pair of ear protectors,the band formed of lightweight resilient material and configured toposition the ear covers in alignment with the user's ears and with thepockets positioned over the tops of the respective ears. Ideally, theband is sized and shaped to extend downward below the user's earlobewhen worn by the user and to extend behind the user's head to leave anunobstructed space adjacent the top of the user's ear to accommodateglasses and headgear.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the band canbe configured to provide sufficient tension to hold the ear protectoragainst the user's head to resist the entry of wind into the user's ear.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each earprotector further includes an inside wall configured to bear against theuser's ear, an outside wall adjacent the inside wall and separated by ahollow interior, a first opening formed in the inside wall communicatingwith the hollow interior and a second opening formed in the outside wallthat communicates with the hollow interior; the ear protector furtherincluding a cover mounted on the outside wall to selectively cover anduncover the second opening formed in the outside wall. The cover may behingedly or slidably affixed to the outside wall. Hearing can be furtherenhanced through the use of active amplifiers.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the foregoing embodiment of theinvention, a pocket is formed, preferably of fabric material, that isassociated with the ear cup that is sized and shaped to be received overthe top of the user's ear. Ideally, the pocket is held in an openedconfiguration by a ledge or protrusion formed on the ear cup over whichthe pocket is mounted. In one embodiment the ledge has a crescent shapethat follows the curved contour of the ear cup

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a device forprotecting the ears of a user is provided that includes covers for theears, the covers include a support for holding the covers on the top ofthe user's ears; a structure for positioning the covers over the ears sothe supports are in alignment over the tops of the user's ears; and astructure for selectively covering and uncovering an opening in the earcover to facilitate the hearing of the user when the covering structureis in an opened position wherein the opening in the ear cover isunobstructed.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, alightweight device for protecting the ears of a user and accommodatingthe use of headgear, including, but not limited to, glasses and hats, isprovided. The lightweight device includes first and second earprotectors that are each sized and shaped to be received over arespective ear of the user and further including a support configured tobe received over the top of the user's ear to support the device on theuser's ear; and a connection member associated with the first and secondear protectors and configured to position the first and second earprotectors adjacent the ears of a user with the supports aligned overthe top of the respective ear of the user, the connection member furtherconfigured to hold the first and second ear protectors against the headof the user with sufficient force to resist the entry of air between theear protectors and the user's head when the user is moving through theair. Ideally, the connection member is configured to pass below theuser's earlobes and behind the user's head to facilitate the use ofheadgear on the user's head.

In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, anopening is formed in each of the first and second ear protectors tofacilitate the passage of sound from outside the ear protectors to theuser's ear, and further comprising a door mounted to each ear protector,each door configured to be selectively openable to facilitate thehearing of the user and closable to cover the opening in the earprotector. Ideally, the door is hingedly attached to the ear protectorto swing forward into an opened configuration in a manner to deflectmoving air away from the opening in the ear protector.

In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, thesupport on the ear protector comprises a fabric pocket sized and shapedto be slidably received over the top of the user's ear, each earprotector further comprising a ledge formed thereon that is sized andshaped to hold the pocket open to facilitate placement of the earprotector on the top of the user's ear.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an ear protection device that includes at least one ear cupwith an ear rest that rests on top of an ear and a headband havingflexibility and resilience to position the at least one ear cup inalignment with the user's ear.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, thecomponents of the ear protection device are formed with semi-rigidmaterial in a generally semi-spherical configuration, with each ear cuphaving a concave inner surface. The internal elements consist ofsuitable materials to create comfortable warmth and protection for theears. The ear cups are constructed or covered with an insulatingmaterial such as fabric, which by design requires minimal material andtherefore reduces the amount of fabric and related sewing required forconstruction. The device of the present invention may incorporate anacoustic device such as audio speakers, sound amplifiers, or similartype devices to create a combination ear protection device andheadphone.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the earprotection device includes an acoustic feature that acts as a passiveamplifier by directing sound waves to travel through a path into theear, allowing for hearing to be enhanced and minimally obstructed.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the ear protectiondevice features components that make the device easy and comfortable towear while warming the ears. It is designed to utilize passiveamplification of sound, and it has minimally obstructed hearing. The earcups are pressed against the ear with a small amount of tension from aslightly resilient headband. The ear cups are provided with ear restshaving a support to come into contact with the top portion of the ear.When the ear cups are covered with a material such fabric, the pocketcombined with the ear rest and the resilience of the headband worktogether to ensure stability in wearing the ear protection device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will bemore readily appreciated as the same become better understood from theaccompanying drawings in which like elements have the same referencenumbers, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior device;

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of an ear protection deviceformed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric projection of the ear protection deviceof FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the ear protection device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the ear protection device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the ear protection device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric projection of an outer ear frame;

FIGS. 8A-8E are right and left isometric views, a back view, a side viewand a front view of a door, respectively; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of an acoustic component assembledinto the ear protection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 2, shown therein is a side view illustrationof a first embodiment of the ear protection device 18 formed inaccordance with the present invention. The device 18, shown on the head12 of a user, has ear protectors 23 connected to or integrally formedwith a headband 22 that positions the ear protectors 23 adjacent to andin alignment with the ears (not shown in this view) of the user.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the device 18 includes outer ear frames26 that are either connected to the frame 22 by an interlocking joint 24or are integrally formed therewith and inner ear cups 28 attached to theear frames 26. The headband 22 is formed to have a semi-flat, ellipticalshape, which in one embodiment connects to the outer ear frame 26through the interlocking joint 24. The joint 24 includes connectors 40and 42. The interlocking joint 24 is secured when the connectors 40 and42 are fused together through a process such as gluing or sonic welding.

The headband frame 22 is formed in a curved shape to fit the shape of atypical individual's head, and more particularly to fit the shape of thebase 15 of the head region 20 of an individual's head 12. The overallshape of the headband 22 is approximately that of an omega (Ω). As shownin FIG. 2, the headband frame 22 is formed to curve in a lower directionoverall so as to approximately run along the lower ends of ears, knowncommonly as the lobe of the ears. More particularly, the headband 22 issized and shaped to extend downward below the user's earlobe when wornby the user and to extend behind the user's head 12 to leave anunobstructed space adjacent the top of the user's ear to accommodate theuse of headgear such as glasses, hats and helmets.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the ear frame 26 is formed to have aconcave-shaped outer wall 38 that is, in this embodiment, substantiallysemi-circular in nature. It is to be understood that the shape can beother than semi-circular. This built in concave shape is aerodynamicallydesigned so that moving air is directed around the outer wall 38 of theear protection device 18 rather than directed toward the user's ear. Theear cups 28 are formed with semi-rigid material in a generally sphericalconfiguration, with each ear cup 28 having a concave inside surface 29and a convex outside surface 31. The ear cups 28 are formed of suitablematerials to create comfortable warmth and protection for the ears suchas fabric or soft moldable components such as plastic or silicone.

In one embodiment a material, such as fabric, is used to form ear pads60. As shown in FIG. 6, the ear pad 60 is sized and shaped to stretchover, attach to, and cover each ear cup 28. As shown therein, the earpad 60 has an elastic ring 62 formed on one side that slips over the earcup 28. By design, the ear pads 60 require minimal fabric and thereforereduce the amount of fabric and related sewing required forconstruction.

The ear pads 60 include a component to support the device 18 on the topof the ear. As shown in FIG. 6, the component comprises an ear pocket 64that is formed along a portion of the ear pad 60 to have an opening 66sized and shaped to slide over the top of the user's ear. When sopositioned, the pocket 64 supports the device 18 on the ear of the user.

The ear cups 28 have a ledge or protrusion 44 extending outward over theinside surface 29 to aid in supporting the device on the user's ears andto hold the pocket 64 open. Each protrusion 44 has a semi-circular shapeand is formed on the upper rim 43 of the inside surface 29 of each earcup 28. When fabric is used for the ear pads 60, the protrusions 44 workto keep ear pocket 62 on the ear pad 60 held in an opened configurationto facilitate slidable engagement with the top of the user's ear.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ear cups 28 slide into the ear frames 26 andare firmly bonded through interlocking joints (not shown) in the earcups 28, which slot and attach into keyed joints in the ear frame 26.Alternately, attachment can be accomplished through a known process suchas gluing or ultrasonic welding. In the case where an insulatingmaterial, such as fabric, is used for the ear pad 60, and when the outerear frame 26 is fused to the concave ear cup 28, the fabric may becaptured and secured between the ear frame 26 and the ear cups 28 toprevent the material from coming off.

The ear protection device 18 is firmly attached to the head 12 throughthe combination of the interior ear rests 44, with the ear pads 60 andthe ear pockets 64 that rest on top of the user's ears, thus supportingthe weight of the ear protection device 18. In embodiments where weightis a factor, the headband 22 can be formed to assist in holding thedevice 18 to the user's head 12. When combined, the ear pocket 64resting on top of the ear and the resilience of the headband frame 22can work together to ensure stability in wearing the ear protectiondevice 18. Ideally, the resilience of the headband frame 22 does nottightly squeeze the ear protectors 23 tightly to the user's head 12.Rather, it positions the ear protectors 23 over the ears and against thehear 12 only with enough force to prevent wind from entering the user'sears.

The ear cups 28 have an interior concave shape to follow the raisedshape of the user's ear to keep the ear protection device 18 in acomfortable stable position. The ear cups 28 are formed from the samelightweight material used to construct the headband 22 or from alightweight material such as elastomer that is softer and more flexiblethan that of the headband 22 so as not to be affected by the individualdifferences in the shapes of ears and so as to help alleviate the loadwhen ear protection device 18 is worn. Ideally, the ear protectiondevice 18 is formed of a flexible and resilient material, such aspolypropylene.

In another embodiment, the ear protection device 18 can include at leastone acoustically designed component that facilitates hearing. Moreparticularly, a passive amplifier is provided that facilitates thetravel of sound waves through the ear protectors 23 and into the ear,allowing for hearing to be enhanced and minimally obstructed. In oneembodiment, the device 18 includes a cover or door 30 formed on theexterior of the ear frame 26 to selectively cover and uncover a hollowinterior formed between the ear frame 26 and the ear cup 28. Sound wavesare directed through the ear frame 26 and holes 46 formed in the earcups 28 and into the ear. The door 30 has a concave shape that capturesthe sound waves and directs them through the holes 46 formed of varyingsizes in the ear cups 28.

The door 30 may be mounted in a variety of ways to the ear frame 26. Asshown in FIGS. 7 through 8A-E, the door 30 is secured with at least onehinge 32 that is built into the ear frame 26. The design of the hinge 32enables selective positioning of the door 30 at predetermined degrees ofopening (see FIG. 4). The hinge 32 is built into the ear frame 26 andfeatures a cylindrical post 52 onto which the door 30 is attached withat least one U-shaped cut 54 (shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D). The cylindricalpost 52 varies in diameter near the top and bottom thereof so as to keepthe U-shaped cuts 54 in position and prevent them from sliding. Theouter ear frame 32 also features a friction lock 58 that allows the door30 to stay partially opened, and a positive stop in the form of a nob 56on the post 52 that enables the door 30 to stay completely open at a setposition while preventing the door 30 from being pushed in further thandesired.

Within the ear cups 28 there can be provided a housing 36, as shown inFIG. 9, as a means for mounting an acoustical device 90, such asspeakers or a hearing aid or amplifier. An electrical cord 92, may beconnected to the acoustic device 90, which is fastened in the acoustichousing 36 of the ear cups 28. The electrical cord 92 then passes withina groove (not shown) built into the headband frame 22 so as to hide theelectrical cord 92.

In use, the ear protection device 18 is put on an individual's head 12in the following manner: The user takes hold of the device 18 so as toslightly widen the gap between the left and right ear protectors 23while sandwiching the head 12 so that the pockets 64 are positioned inalignment over the user's ears.

When the ear cups 28 come into contact with the top side of the ears,the user then releases the ear protection device 18, which has beenpushed slightly downwards so that the ear pockets 92 come into contactwith and are received over the top of the ears. In doing so, thecomplete device 18 is positioned on and supported by the ears. Theputting on of the ear protection device 18 is then complete (see FIG.2). If desired, the headband 22 can be formed to urge the ear protectors23 against the user's head to prevent wind from entering the user'sears.

All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications,U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applicationsand non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/orlisted in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein byreference, in their entirety.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a sliding door canbe used to selectively cover and uncover the holes 46. The embodiment ofthe ear protection device 18 has been described as having separatecomponents; however the components of the ear protection device can beintegrally formed as a single unitary element. Accordingly, theinvention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

1. An ear protection device, comprising: a pair of ear protectors, eachear protector comprising an ear cup sized and shaped to be received overa user's ear, and a pocket associated with the ear cup that is sized andshaped to be received over the top of the user's ear and to support thedevice on the ear; and a band connected to the pair of ear protectors,the band comprising lightweight resilient material and configured tohold the ear covers apart in alignment with the user's ears and with thepockets positioned over the tops of the respective ears the bandconfigured to be positioned behind the user's head.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the band is sized and shaped to extend downward belowthe user's earlobe when worn by the user and to extend behind the user'shead to leave an unobstructed space adjacent the top of the user's earto accommodate headgear, including glasses and hats.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the band is configured to provide tension to hold theear protectors against the user's head with only sufficient force toresist the entry of wind into the user's ear.
 4. The device of claim 1wherein each ear protector further comprises an inside wall configuredto bear against the user's ear, an outside wall adjacent the inside walland separated by a hollow interior, a first opening formed in the insidewall communicating with the hollow interior and a second opening formedin the outside wall and communicating with the hollow interior, the earprotector further comprising a cover hingedly attached to the outsidewall to selectively cover and uncover the second opening formed in theoutside wall
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electronicspeaker positioned in at least one of the ear protectors.
 6. The deviceof claim 5 wherein the cover is configured to swing outward and forwardto an opened position and to swing inward and coplanar with the outsidewall to a closed position.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the ear cupis formed to have a concave shape to follow the raised shape of theuser's ear.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the pocket is formed offabric material attached to the ear cup.
 9. The device of claim 8wherein the pocket is held in an opened configuration to facilitateslidable engagement with the top of the user's ear.
 10. The device ofclaim 9 wherein each ear protector comprises a ledge formed thereon thatis configured to hold the pocket in the opened configuration.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in the ear cupto facilitate the communication of sound into the user's ear from anexterior of the ear cup, and further comprising a cover hingedlyattached to the ear cup to selectively swing between an openedconfiguration wherein the opening in the ear cup is substantiallyunobstructed, and a closed position wherein the opening in the ear cupis substantially covered.
 12. A device for protecting the ears of auser, the device comprising: means for covering the ears, the coveringmeans comprising means for supporting the covering means on the top ofthe user's ears; means for positioning the covering means over the earswith the supporting means in alignment with the top of the user's ears;and means for selectively covering and uncovering an opening in the earcovering means to facilitate the hearing of the user when the selectivecovering means is in an opened position wherein the opening in the earcovering means is unobstructed.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein thepositioning means is configured for urging the ear covering meansagainst the user's head while leaving the area above the user's earunobstructed.
 14. The device of claim 12 wherein the supporting meanscomprises a pocket means having an opening sized and shaped toaccommodate the top of the user's ear.
 15. The device of claim 14further comprising means for holding the pocket means in the openedconfiguration, the holding means formed on the ear covering means. 16.The device of claim 15 wherein the positioning means is configured topass below the user's earlobes and behind the user's head-to facilitatethe use of headgear on the user's head.
 17. A lightweight device forprotecting the ears of a user and accommodating the use of headgear,including, but not limited to, glasses and hats, the device comprising:first and second ear protectors, each ear protector sized and shaped tobe received over a respective ear of the user, and further comprising asupport configured to be received over the top of the user's ear andsupport the device on the user's ear; and a connection member associatedwith the first and second ear protectors and configured to position thefirst and second ear protectors adjacent the ears of the user with thesupports aligned over the top of the respective ear of the user, theconnection member further configured to hold the first and second earprotectors against the head of the user with sufficient force to resistthe entry of air between the ear protector and the user's head when theuser is moving through the air, the connection member configured to bepositioned behind the head of the user when worn by the user.
 18. Thedevice of claim 17, further comprising an opening formed in each of thefirst and second ear protectors to facilitate the passage of sound fromoutside the ear protectors to the user's ear, and further comprising adoor hingedly attached to each ear protector, each door configured to beselectively openable to facilitate the hearing of the user and closableto cover the opening in the ear protector, the door configured to swingforward-into an opened configuration to deflect moving air away from theopening in the ear protector.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein thesupport on the ear protector comprises a fabric pocket sized and shapedto be slidably received over the top of the user's ear, each earprotector further comprising a ledge formed thereon that is sized andshaped to hold the pocket open to facilitate placement of the earprotector on the top of the user's ear.
 20. An ear protection system,comprising a band having integrally formed ear protectors on first andsecond ends thereof, the band configured to position the first andsecond ear protectors in contact with the respective ears of the userwith sufficient force to hold the ear protectors against the user's headand reduce the entry of wind into the user's ears, the band configuredto extend downward below the earlobe of the user's ear and behind theuser's head; each ear protector sized and shaped to substantially coverthe respective ear of the user, each ear protector further comprising anear cup having a substantially concave shape to bear against the user'sear, and an ear frame attached to the ear cup and having an outer wallto define a hollow interior between the outer wall and the ear cup, theear cup having an opening to provide communication between the hollowinterior and the user's ear, and the outer wall having an opening toprovide communication between the hollow interior and the exterior ofthe ear protector, the ear protector further comprising a door hingedlyattached to the outer wall and configured to move between an openedposition wherein the opening in the outer wall is substantiallyunobstructed to facilitate the hearing of the user and a closed positionwherein the door covers the opening in the outer wall, the doorconfigured to swing forward to deflect wind from the opening in theouter wall, and each ear protector further comprising a pocket formed onthe ear cup that is sized and shaped to be slidably received over theuser's ear to support the device on the top of the user's ear.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein the pocket is formed of fabric material andis held in an opened configuration by a ledge formed on the ear cup. 22.The system of claim 21 further comprising an electronic speakerpositioned in at least one of the ear protectors.
 23. The system ofclaim 21 wherein each ear protector is sized and shaped to provideunrestricted access to a space between the user's ear and the user'shead to facilitate the use of headgear such as glasses and hats.
 24. Anear protection device, comprising: a pair of ear cups sized and shapedto be received over a user's ears, each ear cup having a pocket that issized and shaped to be received over the top of the user's ear and tosupport the device on the ear, an inside wall configured to bear againstthe user's ear, and an outside wall adjacent the inside wall; a firstopening formed in the inside wall and a second opening formed in theoutside wall; and a cover attached to the outside wall to selectivelycover and uncover the second opening formed in the outside wall;
 25. Thedevice in claim 24 wherein the inside wall and the outside wall areseparated by a hollow interior.
 26. The device in claim 24 wherein thecover attached to the outside wall is hingedly attached to the outsidewall.
 27. The device of claim 24 wherein the pocket is formed of fabricmaterial attached to the ear cup.
 28. The device of claim 24 furthercomprising a band connected to the pair of ear cups, the band comprisinglightweight resilient material and configured to position the pair ofear cups in alignment with the user's ears and with the pocketspositioned over the tops of the respective ears.
 29. The device of claim24 wherein the cover is attached to slide along the outside wall.